SELF-GENERATED MAGNETIC-FIELD AND FARADAY-ROTATION IN A LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA

In laser-produced plasma the self-generated magnetic field can;be exci ted by a collisional as well as a noncollisional process via ponderomo tive action. In this paper we estimate the self-generated axial magnet ic field by measuring the change in the polarization of stimulated Bri llouin scattered (SBS) radiation as compared to the incident laser rad iation. Experiments were conducted using a Nd:glass laser (lambda = 1. 06 mu m) capable of delivering a plane-polarized output of 20 J in 5 n s. The experimentally observed rotation of the plane of polarization o f the SBS radiation has been shown to be in fairly good agreement with the estimated values from theory.